2013 Book Review #38: Pearl

I just finished this book this morning.

The author is a blogger whom I would love to meet in person some day.  We are "friends" on Facebook and I visit her blog often.  Some of you might know her:  Her Blog is Outnumbered Mom and her name is Laura Lee Groves. I didn't read her other nonfiction book because it was geared for moms of boys and I only have girls!  When she announced this novel, I couldn't wait to get my copy.  You can order it online.

STORY SUMMARY

In China, back in 2008, there was a horrible earthquake and many people, including children, died.  Mei and her husband Chao, lose their only son, Ming.  He was 13 and at school when the earthquake occurred.  Because of China's One Child Policy, Ming is their only child.  However, Mei had given birth 4 years previously, to a little girl that she named Pearl.  Because of the one child policy and the threat of a forced abortion, Mei went away to have the baby and placed the baby on the steps of an orphanage so an American couple could adopt her and give her a home.  She has never really grieved this loss.

And now she must face this new loss: the death of her only son.

Chao and Mei learn how to survive and are aided by their Chinese Christian friends Jia and her husband.  Eventually, Chao and Mei obtain visas to immigrate to the United States of America.  Chao's sister, Mandy, has lived in Chicago for many years.  She left when she was just a teenager and only came back to China when their parents died.  Mandy helps them out by letting them stay in her apartment, letting Mei work in her flower shop and Chao finds a job.  Soon, he is building up a savings account so they can move into their own place.  But, because of all his overtime work, Mei becomes lonely and worried that she and Chao are drifting apart.  Ming no longer holds them together.  Will their marriage survive?  And.....everywhere Mei looks, there seems to be American couples with adopted Chinese little girls. She begins to look for Pearl in these little girls.  One day, during her lunch hour, she steps off the curb into traffic.  She wakes up hours later from a concussion and begins to realize that she and Chao really do need each other and she begins to share what has been in her heart all these years.  She even shows Chao a piece of pink ribbon that she has kept from a ribbon that she tied around Pearl's arm when she said goodbye to her baby.  Chao and Mei begin to attend the home of some Christians where they learn that lasting peace and hope and purpose come from One True God....the Living God.

Will Mei and Chao find true peace and comfort??

Will Mei ever find Pearl??

You will have to read the book to find out!

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this story. It made me cry in many spots because of how powerful the description is of Mei's feelings for the loss of her baby girl. I just couldn't imagine surviving that kind of tragedy nor could I imagine ever having to give up a child because of a government policy. It also made me angry to think this is how it is in China. It is not right!

At first I didn't care for the style of the formal language that is used.  There weren't many contractions and I'm used to that more "lazy" way of reading/speaking. It was pointed out in the story that the Chinese speak formally and when the characters started learning English the language was less formal.  

I loved how Laura incorporated the salvation message in this story without it being preachy or too obvious.  It was very well done and I feel that this book would be an excellent one to give as a gift to an unsaved friend or family member. In fact, I am most likely going to buy a copy and give it to my mother in law who loves to read and needs to hear about God's love for her.

This book just wants me to keep reading about Chao and Mei. I think it would be wonderful if there was a sequel!

This book is inspirational.  I like the powerful message of where our peace comes from.  I loved how Mei learned her purpose in her new home.  And the very ending of the book is a tear-jerker.  I had tears rolling down my cheeks.  It made me so thankful that I have never had to give one of my baby girls away.  This book also made me want to start praying for the families in China nad for the people I know who are waiting to adopt.

I say a HUGE thank you to Laura for writing this story. It is one that should be read for sure.

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 10 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10!!